Rugby tournament secured for next three years

31 May 2016

Taupo will be the home of the Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under 19 Tournament for the next three years, after Taupo District Council secured the rights to host the tournament.

The tournament has been held at Taupo's Owen Delany Park since 2014, and has quickly become a popular fixture on the district's events calendar. The agreement means it will be held at Owen Delany Park this year, in 2017 and 2018. It is the first time the council has secured a multi-year agreement with New Zealand Rugby. The tournament is broadcast live on Sky television.

District events manager Steve Giles said it was a great boost for the district as it brought 400 players, along with their coaches and supporters into the district over a week-long event.

The economic impact of securing this tournament is estimated at $800,000 annually, so over the next three years this will be fantastic for the district. We are looking forward to welcoming the organisers back in September.

The tournament is recognised as a launching pad for New Zealand's most promising young rugby players and an important part of the country's rugby calendar. Players in 16 teams compete across two divisions, premiership and championship, for the Graham Mourie Cup and Michael Jones Trophy.

Chief executive of New Zealand Rugby Steve Tew said King Country Rugby and the council had done a great job with the tournament in the past. The tournament has now been established as a regular feature and it's highly valued by all involved so we're really pleased to confirm a longer commitment to Taupo, he said.

This year games will be played on 15, 18 and 21 September in 24 matches with a development programme in between game days covering everything from position-specific skills to nutrition and mental wellbeing.

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Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz